Red Eyed Crocodile SkinkTribolonotus gracilis

What does a Red Eyed Crocodile Skink look like?

These lizards looks like a miniature crocodile rather than a species of skink. The body scales are rough, with three hard, spiky projections running along their back down to the tip of the tail. The eyes are unique with a red/orange ring around the eye socket and yellow in the corner of the eye.

Sexing of Red Eyed Crocodile Skinks is not difficult. A close inspection of the underside will show a section which looks like a belly button; males tend to have larger scales in this area compared to females. They reach maturity in their third or forth year and live to an average life span of 12-15 years.

Where are Red Eyed Crocodile Skink from?

They are native to Indonesia and have been collected from Irian Jaya and Papua New Guinea. Red Eyed Crocodile Skinks live in moist areas close to water.

How do you keep Red Eyed Crocodile Skinks?

It is recommended to keep Red Eyed Crocodile Skinks in a spacious terrarium which can withstand high humidity levels.

A 36x15x15" vivarium or glass tank will house an adult pair, do not house males together as fighting may occur. The enclosure should be heated to an ambient air temperature of 28C (82F) with a basking area of 32C (89F). Allow night time temperatures to cool down to 22C (72F). The use of a thermostat is essential to control your skinks enclosure.

Due to the Red Eyed Crocodile Skink being nocturnal, a low percentage of UV lighting is recommended. The use of a infra red bulb will allow night viewing.

Use a substrate which can hold some moister, we use the coco bricks mixed with orchid bark. Hides should be provided throughout the enclosure, humidity hides are essential as a 80-95% humidity is ideal. Some climbing areas should be given in the form of cork bark, sand blast branches etc.

Fresh water should be provided daily in a large water dish or tray, ensure this is not too deep and place some stones in a tray to prevent your skink from drowning. Feed on a range of live foods like crickets, locusts, wax worms, mealworms and feeder roaches. Young should be fed daily and adults every two to three days. Dusting of the live food is recommended to ensure your skink has all the vitamins and minerals it requires. Dust at least three times a week for youngsters and once a week for adults.

Do your researchBefore you commit to buying any pet, please do your own independent research.

Featured Exotic Pet

The Rankins Dragons is a smaller species to the Bearded Dragon, reaching a total length of 12 inch. These are ideal for beginners who do not have the space for a large vivarium that is required with the Bearded Dragon.